PhD in Media Studies is a doctoral-level program offered by a number of colleges and universities across India. It takes around 3-5 years to complete the entire course including the dissertation, which is part of every PhD program.
The focus of the course is to get a critical understanding of the field of media and how it influences the society, the culture of the people, politics and in turn the economy of a country. By undertaking this academic cum research program, one gets a deep insight into the role of media, be it television, cinema, print media or the digital media in shaping the socio-cultural aspects in today’s world.
The program consists of course work followed by a dissertation. The students will have to carry out original research work on a chosen topic and write a thesis on the same. To apply for this PhD program, the candidate should have completed a master degree in the relevant field. Admissions to the program are done based on the candidate’s performance in an entrance test followed by a personal interview.
Some of the top colleges to pursue PhD Media Studies are given in the table below:
| College Name | City | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees | Average Placement Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christ University | Bangalore | Entrance Based | INR 30,000 | INR 8,00,000 |
| Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) | Amarkantak, MP | Entrance Based | INR 15,000 | INR 4,00,000 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | New Delhi | Entrance Based | INR 1,381 | INR 5,50,000 |
| Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication | Bhopal | Entrance Based | INR 92,900 | INR 5,00,000 |
| Chandigarh University (CU) | Chandigarh | Entrance Based | INR 17,000 | INR 7,00,000 |
The average fees for the course range from INR 1,381 to INR 92,900. Some of the many job profiles are Media Manager, Marketing Director, Media Planner, Social Media Manager, Social Media Analyst, Social Media Marketing Executive, Copywriter, Reporter, Media Researcher, Blogger, etc. The average starting salaries range from INR 400,000 to INR 800,000.
Read More about: Top PhD Media Studies Colleges
After completion of the program, apart from the media industry, the students may take up a career in research and take up jobs as teachers and lecturers in colleges across India.
What is the PhD Media Studies Admission Process?
Admission to PhD Media Studies in colleges in India are mostly based on entrance tests. The admissions in the program are conducted twice a year, in the month of January and May.
- Before applying for the test, however, the candidate must ensure that they fulfil the eligibility criteria for admission.
- The colleges and universities conduct their own entrance test, and admission to PhD in Media Studies is also based on qualifying eligibility tests like UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC NET, SET, GATE and so on.
- On successfully qualifying the entrance test, the college scrutinizes the research topic and proposal by the candidate and a personal interview is held.
How to Apply for PhD Media Studies?
The step-by-step procedure for such entrance based admissions for PhD Media Studies is as follows;
- The candidates will have to first visit the official website of the test and register themselves.
- After successful registration, they need to fill up an online application form and submit it, after paying the requisite fees.
- They need to appear for the test. Based on the scores obtained by the candidates, they will be further shortlisted for a personal interview.
- The final selection of the candidates will be based on the interview. In some cases, a group discussion is also held to judge the suitability of the candidates for the PhD program.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for PhD Media Studies?
PhD Media Studies aspirants need to fit the following eligibility criteria to apply for the program;
- Master’s degree in a subject relevant to the field of media from a UGC recognized college or university.
- Minimum of 55% marks in their post-graduation.
- Candidates who have completed post-graduation from an international university are also eligible. Such candidates will have to submit an equivalency certificate obtained from Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
- Candidates having undergone M.Phil in Media Studies can also apply.
Which are the Top PhD Media Studies Entrance Exams?
| Entrance Exam | Application Period | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| CSIR UGC NET (June Session) | 2nd week of March – 2nd week of April 2023 | 3rd week of June 2023 |
| UGC NET (July Session) | December 29, 2022 – January 23, 2023 | February 21, 2023 – March 10, 2023 |
| ICAR AICE JRF/SRF | To be Announced | To be Announced |
How to Prepare for PhD Media Studies Entrance Exams?
The syllabus for the entrance tests and their pattern vary from college to college. However, some of the tips mentioned below, based on the national level tests UGC-NET and CSIR NET, if followed meticulously, will help in acing these tests.
- Most of these entrance tests are held online in CBT mode.
- To prepare for the tests, the candidates will have to be thorough with their subjects.
- They should go through important topics on media and communication from their graduation and post-graduation.
- Previous year question papers to be referred to understand the pattern and the difficulty level of the test.
- Sample test papers to be practised and mock tests to be appeared for bringing familiarity with the computer-based test.
Know more about: JNUEE Exam Pattern
How to Get Admission in Top PhD Media Studies Colleges?
To get admission in a top college or university, one will have to be on the lookout for notifications released by such colleges. One can search for notifications by visiting college websites from time to time. Following are some of the measures that can be undertaken to get admission to a top college for undertaking this PhD course.
- The candidates will have to prepare really well for the entrance tests. Only when you qualify the entrance exams with a very good score are their chances for you to get admission. In most cases, the entrance test has a 70% weightage in selection.
- For getting a good score in the entrance tests, the candidates will have to be thorough with their subjects and need to prepare well for the test. Since the entrance tests are of objective type and 150 questions are to be attempted in 3 hours, time management is of utmost importance to do well in the test.
- The candidates need to do well in the interview part too. Before appearing for the interview, one should brush up some of the important topics related to their field of study. Questions could also be asked about the candidate’s research proposal. So one should prepare for the research proposal too. It helps, if one gets to attend mock interviews, so as to get familiarized with the interview process.
- Past academic achievements and a good academic record goes a long way in getting selected. So make a list of all such achievements and produce them in front of the panel as and when asked to do so.
PhD Media Studies: What is it About?
The PhD Media Studies is an academic cum research program consisting of coursework and a dissertation. The details about the PhD Media Studies program are given as follows.
- The coursework is to be finished within a year of starting the program. The coursework includes subjects related to the field of study and the research methodologies that are to be applied while pursuing the research activity.
- Based on the topic and research proposal submitted by the student at the time of starting of the program, the student will have to carry out original research work on the same.
- A research guide or supervisor is assigned to support the student with the project.
- During the research work, the student is expected to publish a few research papers too on the subject.
- On completion of the research, the student will have to submit a thesis on the research work done to a team of external examiners.
- Based on the successful defense of the thesis, the PhD is finally awarded.
PhD Media Studies: Course Highlights
The important course highlights about the PhD Media Studies program are tabulated as below.
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Full-Form | Doctorate of Philosophy in Media Studies |
| Duration | 3 – 5 years |
| Examination type | Semester wise |
| Eligibility | Postgraduate in the field of media and communication |
| Admission Process | Entrance based |
| Course Fee | INR 1,381 - INR 92,900 |
| Average Salary | INR 4,00,000 to INR 8,00,000 |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Zee TV, AajTak, TV9, GeeksChip, 3DM Agency, FMIM, All India Radio, Malayala Manorama Group, Asianet, BloombergQuint, Daijiworld Media, India Today, Living Media, Creative Eye Ltd |
| Job Positions | Marketing Director, Marketing Assistant, Social Media Analyst, Social Media Manager, Social Media Marketing Executive, News Anchor, Reporter, Media Researcher, Media Planner, Media Manager, Copywriter, Blogger |
Why PhD Media Studies?
PhD Media Studies differs from individual to individual depending upon their aspirations to study the program. Some of the perks and benefits of studying this PhD degree are enumerated below.
- The course is of immense benefit to those who are looking forward to extending their knowledge in the media and communication domain.
- Undertaking this course will help you get into leadership roles at your workplace
- Research skills are greatly enhanced by this course and one can take up research-based jobs in the field and in jobs where one has to devise strategies to keep their organisations ahead of competitors.
- Those with the ambition of taking up a teaching career will find it a very useful course. You can get into the role of lecturers and professors in colleges and universities in India and overseas.
- The social media sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors among all these. As such, a number of job opportunities are coming up in the field of media in general and social media in particular.
- With an interesting course curriculum that matters with everyday life, the students will find it worthwhile to pursue this course.
Course Comparison: PhD Media Studies vs PhD Media & Communication
PhD Media Studies and PhD Media & Communication are doctorate level programs offered by colleges and universities across India. Here is a list of the comparative differences between the two courses, which are otherwise similar in nature.
| Parameters | PhD Media Studies | PhD Media and Communication |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy in Media Studies | Doctor of Philosophy in Media and Communication |
| Duration | 3 – 5 years | 3 – 5 years |
| Eligibility | Postgraduate with at least 55% marks | Postgraduate with at least 55% marks |
| Course Overview | PhD Media Studies is a research cum academic program, where the student gets a deeper insight into how the field of media, especially digital media, plays an important role in everyday life. | A doctorate program in the twin field of media and communication, it focuses on the various media platforms as well as the communication channels and systems that have developed over the years. |
| Admission Process | Entrance exam followed by personal interview | Entrance exam followed by personal interview |
| Average Annual Fee | INR 1,381 - INR 92,900 | INR 20,000 – INR 70,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 4,00,000 - 8,00,000 | INR 3,00,000 – 7,00,000 |
| Recruitment Sectors | Television Channels, Print Media, Public Relations, Radio Broadcasting, Internet industry, Social Media Platforms | Television Channels, Print Media, Public Relations, Radio Broadcasting, Internet industry, Social Media Platforms |
| Top Job Profiles | Media Manager, Media Planner, Social Media Manager, Social Media Analyst, Social Media Marketing Executive, News Anchor, Reporter, Media Researcher | Media Manager, Media Planner, Social Media Manager, Social Media Analyst, Social Media Marketing Executive, News Anchor, Reporter, Media Researcher |
PhD Media Studies Top Institutions
Tabulated below, find the best colleges and universities offering the PhD Media Studies program.
| College Name | City | Average Annual Fees in INR | Average Placement Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christ University | Bangalore | INR 30,000 | INR 8,00,000 |
| Chandigarh University (CU) | Chandigarh | INR 17,000 | INR 7,00,000 |
| Sharda University | Greater Noida | INR 50,000 | INR 5,00,000 |
| Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) | Amarkantak, MP | INR 15,000 | INR 4,00,000 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) | New Delhi | INR 1,381 | INR 5,50,000 |
| Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication | Bhopal | INR 92,900 | INR 5,00,000 |
| Amity School of Communication | Noida | INR 50,000 | INR 4,50,000 |
| Savitribai Phule Pune University | Pune | INR 24,000 | INR 5,50,000 |
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) | Mumbai | INR 70,000 | INR 6,00,000 |
PhD in Media Studies College Comparison
Find in the table below, a comparison among the top three PhD Media Studies colleges and universities in India.
| Parameter | Christ University | Chandigarh University | Sharda University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Christ University is one of the renowned universities in Bangalore offering a number of postgraduate and doctoral programs in media studies. | Chandigarh University is a popular university offering a host of courses in varied fields. | Sharda University is known for offering a range of programs at its well-established campus at Greater Noida. |
| Location | Bangalore | Chandigarh | Greater Noida |
| Eligibility Criteria | Post graduation in the relevant field | Post graduation in the relevant field | Post graduation in the relevant field |
| Admission Process | Entrance test and interview | Entrance test and interview | Entrance test and interview |
| Average Fees | INR 30,000 | INR 17,000 | INR 50,000 |
| Average Salaries | INR 8,00,000 | INR 7,00,000 | INR 5,00,000 |
| Top Recruiting Sectors | Print Media, Television Industry, Digital Media Platforms, Internet, Journalism, Radio Broadcasting, Public Relations, Freelance | Print Media, Television Industry, Digital Media Platforms, Internet, Journalism, Radio Broadcasting, Public Relations, Freelance | Print Media, Television Industry, Digital Media Platforms, Internet, Journalism, Radio Broadcasting, Public Relations, Freelance |
PhD Media Studies Distance Learning
To benefit candidates, who cannot pursue a regular full-time program due to various reasons, some of the institutions in India offer PhD Media Studies in part-time mode. The students should however, crosscheck the validity of the course and ensure that the institution offering the course is a UGC recognized one.
- The eligibility criteria for the part-time program is the same as for the regular course, that is a post-graduation in the relevant discipline.
- The duration of the course will be 3 to 5 years.
- Admissions to the program are based on entrance exam and merit as well as academic performance of the candidate during past qualifications.
Given below find the colleges offering PhD Media Studies in distance mode.
| College | Admission Process | Duration | Average Course Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGNOU, New Delhi | Merit Based | 3 – 5 years | INR 80,000 |
What is the Syllabus of PhD Media Studies?
The course syllabus for PhD Media Studies differs among colleges. However, the following topics are common for most PhDs in the subject.
| Theories and Concepts in Media and Communication Studies |
| Advanced Methods of Research in Media Studies |
| Digital Media and Everyday Life |
| Media in Contemporary Society |
| Media and popular culture |
| Internet and social media |
| Media and the Development Discourse |
| Media, law and regulation |
| Gender and Media Representation |
| Writing Research |
| Media Seminar |
| Publication of Research Paper |
PhD in Media Studies Important Books
Some of the important books and their authors for PhD Media Studies are:
| Name of the Book | Author |
|---|---|
| A Handbook of Qualitative Methodologies for Mass Communications Research | KB Jensen and N Jankowski |
| The Network Society: Social Aspects of New Media | Van Dijk |
| Mobile Communications: An Introduction to New Media | N Green and Haddon |
| Media and Morality | R Silverstone |
| Digital Generations: Children, Young People and New Media | D Buckingham and R Willett |
| Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man | L McLuhan |
PhD Media Studies Jobs
Due to its increasing popularity, the field of media has a number of job opportunities and prospects after completion of this course. One gets the opportunity to work in a number of sectors both private and government.
- Some of the sectors that one may work in this field are Print Media, Digital Media, Social Media, Television Channels, etc.
- Some of the popular job profiles are Media Manager, Social Media Manager, Copywriter, Media Planner, Media Researcher and so on.
The table below shows some of the popular job profiles in the field of media studies.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing Director | One of the top jobs in media management, a Marketing Director provides guidance and leadership to its marketing team. | INR 11,00,000 |
| Media Manager | The role of a Media Manager is to research and write content for various media platforms. They proofread and edit content as well as manage media campaigns. They also develop content for social media platforms. They possess skills such as organizational skills, communication skills, managing people and so on. | INR 8,00,000 |
| Social Media Manager | A Social Media Manager mainly increases the awareness of a brand by creating high-quality content for publishing in the various social media platforms. They work on improving the presence of a brand in social media. They also respond to comments and feedback across the various platforms. | INR 5,00,000 |
| Copywriter | The job of a Copywriter is to write promotional content for a host of write-ups, such as articles, courses and advertisements. They write original content for their clients and assist in other creative writing aspects. One should have exceptional skills in research and writing to be a successful Copywriter. | INR 4,00,000 |
| Public Relation Manager | A Public Relation Manager specializes in building a positive public image for an organisation or company. To shape public opinion, they create various kinds of media messages and post them in different platforms, including social media. | INR 6,00,000 |
PhD Media Studies Future Scope
A PhD program is the highest educational level that one may achieve in a certain field. Beyond this doctorate degree, there are no further educational programs in general. However, in the job sector there are numerous scope for PhD Media Studies.
- One can pursue a career in teaching and lectureship in colleges and universities.
- Sectors like the television industry, print industry, electronic media and social media offer numerous opportunities to prosper in this field.
- One may also make a career in research by joining research labs of various private and government organisations.
- Pursuing Doctor of Science (D.Sc) in a relevant field is also what one may opt for.
PhD in Media Studies FAQs
Ques. What is the minimum duration to complete PhD Media Studies?
Ques. Do I need to write any entrance test for getting selected to the PhD Media Studies program?
Ans. The candidate will have to appear for an entrance test as well as a personal interview for getting selected to this program.
Ques. What minimum qualification is required for applying for PhD Media Studies?
Ques. Are there any distance education program for PhD Media Studies?
Ques. What are the average fees for pursuing PhD Media Studies as a full-time program?
Ques. What is the role of a Social Media Manager?
Ques. Which are some of the recruiting sectors where one can find jobs after doing PhD Media Studies?
Ques. Are there any relaxations for candidates who have done an M.Phil in Media Studies? Do I still need to appear for the entrance test?
Ques. What are the average salaries offered after completing PhD Media Studies?
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